RAVEN'S PERSPECTIVE

"You could have at least told me you were going to leave." I whispered, walking into the Common Room.

It was well past midnight and it was almost a month since Beastboy had been suffering from leukemia symptoms.

"There's a reason why I didn't." the changeling huffed.

I sat down next to him silently.

"Raven, please, leave me alone. Don't even bother to ask me if I'm okay, obviously, I'm not."

"Well... okay then. But, you shouldn't be out here." I muttered nervously.

"You shouldn't be worrying." Beastboy returned blandly.

"And why not?"

"I'm fine, that's why." Beastboy's voice was sour.

"Keep telling yourself that." I scoffed.

"I'm fine, can you leave me the hell alone, Raven!? Does anyone bother you when you are locked up in your room? No."

I was about to lash back. Then, I remembered Beastboy was nowhere near himself with what was going on. I took a deep breath, and tried to take a tender approach.

"Please, can we talk? Just for a little bit?" I asked softly.

He grumbled, "Whatever."

"Look, this isn't the same ramble you've been hearing. It's not a whole bunch of medical terminology and demands. I just want to get real with you,"

I paused before continuing.

"I like to be in control and you know that. And when I'm not… It hurts. A couple of nights ago before the results were revealed I had an anxiety attack."

"Really?"

"Really. I was worried about you." I admitted.

"Oh, so you're saying this was my fault? Is this what you came out here to complain about?" Beastboy got riled up.

"No, no, no. What is going on is none of our faults. Remember you told me that having a bad relationship with my family is not my fault, and who I am is not my fault?"

"Mhm."

"Things happen in life, sadly. Life deals us cards that we don't know how to play. I was worried about you, and that was not even what made that night worse. It was the fact that I knew you acted like you were okay when you weren't. You still laughed and smiled under machines and wires, but I know that,"

He sniffled, then I moved closer to him. "Under those eyes and that smile, there is someone that is in pain. A very sweet someone, a very caring someone, a very loving someone,"

I wiped Beastboy's tears away with a soft stroke of my finger.

I began to tear up, too.

"That attack hurt the most because I wasn't in control of anything. I can't make the pain leave you, no matter how much I want to. I know it hurts. Just let me bear the pain with you, please. If I could love it out of you, you know damn well I would."

I embraced Beastboy, and he didn't hesitate to return it.

I spoke in a graveled tone, "We might be in a valley now, but we have to keep our eyes on the peak. No matter how dark it seems."

"Tell me, Raven, how are you so strong?" Beastboy asked, his words slightly muffling into my shoulder.

"I know what it is like to be thrown into a war without armor. I know what it is like to wake up in Hell with no water to drink. I know what it's like to be strong when it is the only choice you have left,"

I felt him break as he began to cry.

He said through broken syllables, "Fighting all of this seems impossible. It is what it is, there is nothing we can do about it. I feel myself wearing out. I feel like I am less alive everyday."

"The boys are going to get a cancer professional to help get the right equipment and labs test done. This can be fixed, Beastboy. You are much stronger than you think you are. The fact that you still believe you will heal from this, shows more than enough."

I softly rubbed his cheeks with my thumbs.

Beastboy closed his eyes, tears bubbled on the outline of them. His lip quivered, and pained breaths released through his nose.

"Just trust me... okay? We are going to get through this, I promise. I don't break promises, only video controls," Beastboy chuckled, and I smiled.

"At times like this, when I run out of battery... I remember knowing what it is like to fight with the best soldier."

Goosebumps washed over my skin as I neared the meta human's face.

Beastboy steadily motioned my cheek towards his.

"I love you, Beastboy. With my whole heart."

Don't make anything explode.

He whispered, "I love you more, Rae."

His lips came in contact with mine, and my heart softened. I was afraid to move at first, but soon enough I got comfortable with the space and gesture we shared.

I wondered how weird it was that Beastboy could give off such a candied, but tart relish. Beastboy's fragile body found the strength to push closer to mine. His basil hands grasped my waist gently. For that window of time, I forgot reality. I began to see the universe with my eyes closed.

Something fell on the ground but that did not stop us.

Nothing could.

Beastboy severed the short-lived kiss, still very close to me. I adored the way he tasted so much, that when we separated a craving twinge formed on the inside.

He rasped, "Are you sure we can do this?"

"I don't see why not. We've done the impractical before. We've done the impractical together, and we'll do it again."

I smiled, our foreheads touched.

"Yeah, like being zapped into animals and furniture by a Blue Man." Beastboy chortled.

"Haha, mhmm, Mumbo. Or being tossed into another dimension." I smirked.

"I guess that's coming soon, ain't it?"

"Nope, not unless I go with you."

I wrapped my hands around Beastboy's torso and he leaned back in the chair.

"Aww, shucks, I need to be sick more often." Beastboy put his arm around me.

"Definitely not. Why are you out here anyway, Gar? You know we need to keep track of you and stuff."

"I needed some air, that's all. I was going to go to the roof, but I would just have a Brain Freeze."

"You're so corny."

"Corny like a cob."

I giggled at his comment.

"Thank you, Raven, for helping me and being there for me. But most of all... for loving me." Beastboy held me closer.

I felt so secure in his hold, the recent troubles came to an ease.

I responded, "If there is anyone I should thank for loving me, it's you."

"Of course."

"How are you holding up? Be honest."

"A whole lot better with you by my side." Beastboy lightly kissed my hair.